My seventh book, Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining, was one of five books mentioned in the August edition of Seattle magazine as one of the top books on Washington wine. Here’s the lovely review in its entirety:

This month, you can enjoy a Loire-Valley-inspired, three-course dinner at Cafe Campagne for just $34 per person. I particularly like this month’s offering, which includes Crispy Frogs’ Legs with Parsley and Garlic, Sockeye Salmon with Braised Artichoke Hearts, and White-Wine-Poached Peaches with Strawberry Cream. Here is the perfectly pink, perfectly cooked sockeye salmon, its skin perfectly seared and surrounded by a light sauce swimming with sliced baby fingerlings and artichoke hearts. A bottle of 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape paired nicely with the earthy flavors in the fish and buttery sauce.

We were lucky enough to travel to New Orleans for the International Association of Culinary Professionals conference in April where we experienced some unique local foods that I’d like to showcase in this post.

Our first dining experience took place at the world-famous Acme Oyster House. After standing outside in line for about 15 minutes, we were ushered into the casual restaurant and snagged one of the front tables. Here are a few of the dishes we had, none of which was particularly inspired. Founded in 1910, perhaps Acme is resting on its laurels and catering to tourists more than locals?

Here’s the gumbo. We like Chef Kevin Davis’s version at Steelhead Diner in the Pike Place Market better.

And here’s a honkin’ huge heap o’ seafood and fries. In the background, note the Chargrilled Oysters, which were more burned than carefully broiled. 

Interestingly, we had a much better experience with Charbroiled Oysters at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, which was in the host hotel, the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. I ate at Drago’s three times; Spencer twice, it was so good. Here are the Fried Crab Claws, which I’d never tasted before. You put the mini crab claw between your teeth and pull the meat (and delicious fried crust) into your mouth. Yum! The huge Crab Salad with a winning Greek vinaigrette was also a winner. 

Our best meal took place when five of us maneuvered out way to Frank Brigtsen’s long-running restaurant, Brigtsen’s Restaurant, in the University District, about 30 minutes outside of the tourist district/French Quarter. Here’s the Seafood Combo plate, a.k.a. “the Shell Beach Diet,” that bowled all of us over, not to mention the homemade breads and wonderful appetizers.

But not all the news is good. Since Katrina, the wild shrimp fishers have really struggled to maintain their fishery, according to a workshop I attended hosted by Southern cooking expert Nathalie Dupree. Here is a photo of the wild shrimp species we sampled. Don’t forget to buy Wild American Shrimp as a sustainable seafood source. 

Every now and then, Spencer and I make the pilgrimage across the bridge to Bellevue, Washington, to see a movie, make a wine run at Pete’s, or do some serious shopping at Bellevue Square. The luxurious Lincoln Square Theater offers the most comfortable seats and some of the best screens in the Seattle area, so a coupla Saturdays ago, we fled Seattle to go see “Brideshead Revisited,” eat lunch at Trader Vic’s, and restock the wine cellar at Pete’s. 

Whole strolling to our luncheon destination, we noticed that Manzana Rotisserie Grill, where we’d enjoyed a perfectly prepared Asian Chicken Salad during our most recent Bellevue adventure, had morphed into Palomino, part of the nationwide chain whose other outpost is in downtown Seattle in City Centre (U.S. Bank Center). As the tables turn. . .

Once seated at Trader Vic’s in the Tiki Bar, we felt as though we’d been washed ashore on a South Seas Island as we sipped Tropical Fruit Iced Tea and shoveled into salads composed of Blackened Ahi Tuna, Cucumber, Sugar-Snap Pea, Crispy Won Tons, and Sesame-Soy Dressing for me and Crab Cakes, Spinach, Avocado, Papaya, Oranges, Red Onion, and Chili Mango Dressing for Spencer.  

If we’d been hungrier, we might have opted for Trader Vic’s famous Bongo Bongo Soup (cream of spinach soup with oysters) or the Cosmo Tidbits for two (barbecue pork spareribs, crab rangoons, crispy Gulf prawns, and cha siu pork). In our younger days, we used to call this the Pupu Platter. 

If we’d have been thirstier (and not driving), we would definitely have tried the Taste of the Islands Sampler, which includes tastes of four Mai Tais–Original, Vodka, Lillikoi, and Mandarin, a veritable bargain at just 12 bucks. Mahalo! 

The ever irreverent Andrew Zimmern, he of bug- and grub-eating fame on the Travel Channel, liked my latest book, Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining so much, he asked me to weigh in on five questions (actually 11 when you count all the sub-questions) about my latest  wining and dining experiences. I’m excited to say that, now through next Wednesday, you can find my answers by going to his Home Page, then clicking on the big link you’ll find there. After that, the question and answers will be archived for posterity.

Among other interesting topics, we cover my favorite Seattle restaurants of the moment, how I ended up in the Pacific Northwest, and five places every traveler (or lucky local) should visit in our very special corner of the world.

In May, I was honored to be one of the speakers at the second-annual Careers in Wine Symposium hosted by the Wine and Spirit Archive. According to the Web site: “The WSA offers wine, spirit and cocktail courses ranging from introductory level classes for beginners and enthusiasts to professional certification courses for the beverage professional or those seeking to enter that industry, as well as the serious connoisseur. Our recreational classes dispense with the myths and intimidations surrounding the world of wine and spirits and give you the tools, vocabulary and tasting skills necessary to explore and enjoy these beverages.” We’ve taken the Intermediate level course of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and highly recommend it to serious wine enthusiasts, career professionals, and those seeking to get into the wine business. 

Some people have a fear of eating fresh oysters on the half shell in months that don’t contain an “r,” but we put that myth to rest over a recent lunch/brunch at Steelhead Diner in the Pike Place Market. Here are a half dozen pristine Barron Inlet oysters with a frozen mignonette ice. A glass of Di Stefano 2006 Sauv Blanc from Washington’s Columbia Valley made the perfect pairing. 

One of my favorite annual food-and-wine events about  town takes place again this year on Friday, August 15, from 7:30-11:00 p.m. at the Pike Place Market. During Sunset Supper, you can enjoy delectable food and drinks from dozens of Seattle’s top restaurants, wineries, and breweries while dancing the night away to live music under the stars. Some of this year’s restos include: 94 Stewart, BalMar, Matt’s in the Market, Purple Cafe & Wine Bar, Serafina, Tango Restaurant & Lounge, Tulio, and The Ruins. Precept Wine Brands, Hoodsport Winery, Inc., Pike Brewing Co., SKYY Spirits, DRY Soda Co., Barnes & Watson Fine Teas, and Starbucks will keep the crowds well hydrated. Sweet treats come from Molly Moon’s Handmade Ice Cream, Procopio Gelateria, Rose’s Chocolate Treasures, and The Confectional. For tickets visit the Pike Place Market Web site or call 206.682.7453. 

During my whirlwind book tour in Portland last fall, when sleep was at a minimum and we craved some good, ol’-fashioned comfort food, we stopped in at Lisa Golden Schroeter’s world-famous Mother’s Bistro and happily devoured her Salmon Hash. We loved the Bistro’s old-world charm, black-and-white tiled floors, dark-wood bar, and friendly ambience. 

In mid-July, a winemaker dinner with Debbie and Justin Baldwin, proprietors of the Paso Robles winery Justin, proved a decadent delight. During Social Hour, Deborah’s 2007 Delight, a sweet, Muscat-based wine, paired perfectly with a Sweet & Spicy Shrimp Bistila (South American spices meet ground shrimp in a light, filo triangle) and Blue Cheese and Quince Paste Squares. A pasta course called, “Peas and Carrots” brought out house-made pappardelle (thickly-cut noodles) with a creamy, bacon-studded sauce brightened by English peas and carrots. A not-too-oaky 2007 Chard met its match in the creamy sauce and veggies. 

“Surf and Turf” was a twist on Tuna Tonnato, a canned-tuna-based sauce usually served over veal. Berkshire Pork subbed for the veal, while I asked for seared tuna, which was an inspired call with The Orphan, 2006. The Orphan is a red blend made of unused lots, but has turned into one of Justin’s most popular wines. 

We were all “Seeing Red” when braised ribeye formed the foundation for grilled rib eye and mixed seasonal vegetables. Isosceles 2004 was the match made in heaven for some (a big, bold wine that will last many more years in bottle) and Isosceles 2005 (a much more floral red wine) rang other’s diners’ bells. Both wines were opened at 4 p.m and served around 8:30! 

Dessert brought a trio of triumphs when paired with the Port-like Obtuse 2006, a dessert wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon (!). Mini Flourless Chocolate Cake with Blackberry Drizzle, Blackberry Panna Cotta with Chocolate Crème Fraîche, and Salted Candied Blackberries sent all of us off to very sweet dreams.